MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

From the "BEFORE" picture, to "floor planning," to the "FINAL REVEAL," my client discovered how much fun it is to transform a so-so room to a haven.

It all started with a desire to find a new TV cabinet and, then, a question: "What do you do with a jog in a wall?" One thing lead to another. Then, the magic happened.

One of the things I loved about this project was utilizing what my client already owned. For instance, we determined early on that we would work around the tribal rug. Next, out came artwork they had collected from their world travels.  A color scheme was developed that complemented it all, a neutral but not boring woven texture for the small sectional, an ottoman that added a "WOW" element and a coordinating texture for the accent chair. The end result - great Feng Shui! In other words, a room that is inviting, comfy and that turned out to be even more than my client dreamed possible at the beginning of the project.

Here's the "BEFORE" photo:

Here's the floor plan:

And, Voila, here's the "AFTER" photo:

Ode to Thomas Jefferson, designer

Thirteen years ago today, I had an experience that showed me my interior design career was different. I designed many model homes. However, the Windward Model was my first million dollar home. I had a decent budget to decorate the model. I loved working with the builder to evaluate the floor plan, select everything from paint colors, tile, cabinetry, and floor coverings inside and out. As I work on a design project, I get a "feeling" for it. It is more than an artistic sense. It is as if I begin to "see" the prospective owners. Here's how this gift played out for the Windward Model.

Accessories can be the fun part of decorating a model but choosing the accessories for the Windward Model was a little challenging when my design assistant and I butted heads about a few paintings that I chose. One was a print of by Anthony Butero's "Bath," a picture of "a naked fat lady" and the other was a print of the portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale. I envisioned the Butero in the guest bath and TJ in the study.

The model sold before it was completed and a meeting was set up with the prospective buyers. I'll never forget that meeting. I met the buyers at the model with the presentation board, which carefully showed the furniture, fabrics and wallpapers as well as the furniture floor plan. I also had a separate folder for all of the accessories chosen for the model, including copies of the "Bath" and "Thomas Jefferson."  The meeting went very well. The buyers loved everything. I wondered if they would like the ones my assistant and I did not see eye-to-eye about.

The Realtor walked in and pulled Mrs. S. away just as I pulled the accessory folder out. I remember saying to Mr. S, "I don't know if you like Thomas Jefferson or not, but I saw this painting going in the study to inspire you." To my surprise, Mr. S. replied, "Not only do I like Thomas Jefferson, but I was born on his birthday." I knew in that moment why the picture "spoke" to me.

It gets better. The Realtor and Mrs. S. rejoined us, and the Realtor said, "Happy Birthday, Mr. S." Simultaneously, Mr. S. and I laughed and replied, "Happy Birthday, T.J.*"

The Windward Model won five awards and was one of my favorite projects. Every now and then, I get the same kind of feeling when I work with a client. It's a special connection that touches my heart and soul.

*Thomas Jefferson, who lived during the time that the British Isles and colonies eventually converted to the Gregorian calendar, instructed that his tombstone bear his date of birth in the Old Style and his date of death in the New Style.^[21] At Jefferson's birth the difference was eleven days between the Julian and Gregorian calendars; thus his birthday of 2 April in the Old Style is 13 April in the New Style. (Wikipedia)

Family Room - Windward Model

THE GOLDEN RULE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE

Now that the new year is in full swing, many people are looking at the design project that has been on the back burner.

Believe it or not, some folks are afraid to work with an interior designer because they think to do so automatically equates to big bucks. I feel it is important to say that is not necessarily the case.  In fact, my experience has been that working with a designer can actually save you money. Who does not want to do that?

For instance, my client thought they could only use a sofa and chair or their Family Room would be over-crowded. What they really wanted was a sectional. When I created two floor plans* - one with the sofa/chair combo and another with a smaller configuration sectional (the kind with a corner sofa and loveseat)- they were able to "see" how much more open the room would be and how much more seating they would achieve. Mission accomplished.

Yesterday, I had a customer who wanted two recliners but needed help with pulling the right combination of fabrics together to go with other things in the room.  They were so pleased by the process and the final selection. They apologized for having such a small project.  I said, "It does not matter if the project is a small one or a mac-mansion, I have the same philosophy: to take care of my customer by the 'Golden Rule' - the same way I want to be treated."

Imagine what the world would be like if  we all lived our lives by the Golden Rule, if we all treated other people the way we want to be treated.

*If you want a great tool/app for creating a floor plan, I highly recommend "LivingSpaces" by ICOVIA - see image above. It is easy and fun to work with! However, if you are still challenged with figuring out what floor plan works best for you, contact me. I will be glad to help you create the room or home of your dreams.

Not your ordinary designer

My friend, Walter, asked me to speak on his NPR program in the Catskills .  In his introduction, he described me as "an Interior Design who has designs on your interior."  He had a way with words! You might think that an odd thing to say.  Although I was in New York working on a design job, Walter was more interested in my other work - researching reincarnation and spiritual growth.

Interior Design was and is a great training ground for my favorite avocation because learning to trust my intuition about my clients and my jobs is essential to my success.  That was never more evident than when I worked on a model in Estero, FL.  I was very sensitive to the energy of the property and the building. The designs for the model came together organically.  Every detail moved in to place like pieces of a puzzle, including a portrait of Thomas Jefferson for the Study.  My assistant hated the portrait but something told me to use it anyway.  The model was sold before I finished it and a meeting with the new owners enlightened me as to why the portrait was important. I shared the files of furniture, wallpaper, finishes, window treatments and, of course,  artwork with the client. When I got to the portrait of Jefferson, the client told me that he was born on Jefferson's birthday, April 13.  Even more interesting, that very day was April 13th.  I knew these were more than coincidences.

For me, interior design is more than creating beautiful spaces; it is also about the relationships we create.  People touch our lives for a reason. If we can be "open" to that purpose, the process is magical.  Sometimes, that purpose goes beyond the obvious - like my experience with Peter, who asked me to help him with the Feng Shui energy of his home.  The real purpose of the meeting was to make the connection between Peter and his deceased friend,who we lovingly call "Clarence" because of a promise Peter's friend made to Peter before he died. Clarence wanted to let Peter know that we do not die.

While I do love to create beauty, what I really love is creating spaces where love grows.  I think that's what Walter meant when he called me an Interior Designer who has designs on your interior.

Just as we all have a unique style of decorating, we all have a unique path of spiritual growth.  It's fascinating creating different styles and honoring different paths.

The Magic of Interior Design

There are few things as rewarding as creating a beautiful home and it can be easier than you realize.  Finding the right piece of furniture or accessory, transforming an old tired room into a space that feels fresh, new and exciting . . . well, it's magical!  However, most people feel uncomfortable making decorating decisions - large and small - because they're too-close-to-the-forest, too emotionally attached or too afraid of making a mistake.  So, how do you create magic without stressing out?

            The first step is to get in touch with your "inner designer" and/or listen to your gut (intuition).  Every one of us has the ability to create, whether we realize it or not, just as everyone has intuitive abilities.  For whatever reasons, many people have forgotten or have not developed thee abilities.  In order to compensate, people gather information to help them make decisions because when the right brain (intuitive) skills are under-developed, they lean more heavily towards the left-brain (logical) skills.  The creative process, however, needs a balance of both left and right brain functions.  It's like juggling crystal chandeliers and piggy banks.

            Secondly, it's important to remember that the creative process is not done alone and to know when and where to "let go."  It's like dancing - moving in-sync with your partner.

            That's where the magic begins for me as a designer.  I am grateful that I recognized early in life the joy of designing and the magical connection between people.  When the connection happens, the feeling at the project's completion is like giving birth.  What can be more magical than that?